Best Taskbar Customization Software in 2026
Updated
In short: DisplayFusion is ranked #1 of 29 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Taskbar Groups and Winstep Nexus Dock. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Taskbar Groups.
If you want to reshape how the Windows taskbar looks or organizes apps, compare the controls each tool lists. DisplayFusion, Taskbar Groups, and Winstep Nexus Dock are among the named options. App grouping controls, positioning, sizing, and transparency can help you identify which adjustments are covered; multi-monitor support is worth checking for a multi-screen setup. Compare platform support and portable-version availability as well, then weigh free-plan availability against paid-from pricing. The entries include different combinations of these features, so focus on the specific taskbar changes and setup details you need rather than assuming every tool offers the same controls.
29 taskbar customization software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
11 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DisplayFusionWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 2 | Taskbar GroupsWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 3 | Winstep Nexus DockWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 4 | 7+ Taskbar TweakerWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 5 | ExplorerPatcherWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 6 | GroupManagerSelf-hosted | Two bars | — | 0 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 7 | MonitorDockWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 8 | RainbowTaskbarWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 9 | RetroBarWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 10 | TaskbarXWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 11 | YASB RebornWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 12 | DeskloomWindows | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 13 | glassbarWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 14 | Taskbar WidgetsWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 15 | TaskbarDockWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 16 | WinzooWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 17 | SmartTaskbarWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 18 | SpaceMongerWindows | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 19 | Taskbar HideWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 20 | TaskbarTweak-WinWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 21 | TaskbarXIWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 22 | TranslucentTBWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 23 | TrayToolbarWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 24 | WinhanceWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 25 | Actual Multiple MonitorsWindows | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which taskbar customization software is ranked first on Freedom251?
DisplayFusion is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 6.4. Taskbar Groups is second and Winstep Nexus Dock third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.